Turtles House

Description

Distinguishing Features: High domed shell which is variably pattered with a light stripe down the midline, and a wide pale band on each side that often contains black streaks. Plastron variably black and yellow, ranging from dark brown or black to yellow. Light stripe down the midline and broad light coloration along each side with dark speckles, dashes and irregular stripes or blotching. Hinged plastron. (Stuart et al., 2001)

Diet

Carnivorous. Small animals.

Habitat

Although it readily enters water, C. galbinifrons is probably one of the least aquatic species of Cuora. Its habitat appears to be bushy, upland woodlands and forests at rather high elevations (Bourret, 1941). De Bruin and Artner (in press) could not confirm its occurrence on the coastal plains of Hainan, as reported earlier by Weiss (1989).

Natural History

De Bruin (1994a) described a copulation attempt in captive animals: while bobbing his head, the male approached the female from her side, followed immediately by a wild chase. The male tried to capture the female by biting her head and forelegs, inflicting serious wounds on her limbs.

In captivity, a clutch comprises 1-3 eggs (Ron de Bruin, pers. comm.). The eggs are hard-shelled and oval, measuring 56.9 x 27.6 mm. Incubation of two successfully hatched young lasted 65 and 72 days (at 28-29°C). These hatchlings measured 4.5 and 5.0 cm in plastron length and weighed 15 and 24 g respectively. At the age of two, the plastral hinge still was absent (De Bruin, 1994a).

Captives feed on a variety of animal foods including earthworms, fish, pieces of beef, and canned dog food.

Description

The variability of cuora trifasciata sensu lato is analyzed. The data clearly indicate that geographic isolation has resulted in distinct populations within this species, leading to the description here of the genetically and morphologically distinct species Cuora cyclornata, sp. nov., found from south-central Vietnam to western Guangxi Province, China and its subspecies Cuora cyclornata meieri, ssp. nov. restricted to northern Vietnam and western Guangxi Province, China. The holotype of cuora trifasciata sensu stricto is herein identified, redescribed and genetically assigned to its locality of origin. Other genetically and morphologically distinct forms are discussed but for lack of sufficient data are not taxonomically described here. An overview of the literature, distribution, habitat and vulnerability of cuora trifasciata and Cuora cyclornata are given.

Habitat

Mell (1922) collected cuora trifasciata in clear mountain streams at elevations of 50 to 400 m in southern Guangdong, but it probably occurs in other aquatic situations. Captives frequently bask and are often quite terrestrial, so this species probably spends much time on land.

Diet

Omnivorous. Frogs, crabs, worms, fruits, vegetation and carrion. Captives do well on a fish diet

Plastron

Dark with yellow border and front, and underside of the marginals yellow or orange with occasional black spots. Hinged plastron allows the turtles to close up its shell like a box.

Description

A small (max. carapace length = 17.6 cm [7 in.]) turtles with a prominent vertebral keel present in all individuals from hatchling to old adult. Carapace light brown to orange, with dark spots or streaks; pattern may become obscure as individuals age. Lacks gular scute of other kinosternids, which typically have 11 plastral scutes. Plastron an immaculate yellow. Skin of head and legs gray to brown or pinkish, with small dark spots. In cross-section, shell has one keel and a sharp slope, shell of stripe-necked Razorback musk turtle one keel with a gentle slope, and shell of the loggerhead Razorback musk turtle has a central vertebral keel, with a pair of secondary lateral keels (Carr 1952, Conant and Collins 1991, Ernst et al. 1994). Based on similarity of pattern and coloration, Razorback musk turtle appears more closely related to flattened musk and loggerhead Razorback musk turtle; stripe-necked and loggerhead Razorback musk turtle were once considered subspecies of Razorback musk turtle. Electrophoretic studies, however, have shown the Razorback musk turtle to be more closely related to the stinkpot (Ernst et al. 1994).

Diet

In captivity, Does well on high quality turtles pellets such as Mazuri and Reptomin, as well as earth worms, crawdads and feeder fish on occasion.

Habitat

Being more aquatic than the closely related mud turtles, razorback musk prefer a greater sized water area. Razorback musk are well able to thrive in deep water habitat. Though infrequent baskers, ample opportunity to do so is important. A spotlight over their basking area will be utilized. This area can be in the form of a rock projecting from the water, or in the case of young specimens, floating aquatic plants are preferred. Razorbacks are more shy by nature than other species of musk turtles, and a substrate of river pebbles seems to give them a greater sense of security.

History

Females mature at a carapace length of about 10 cm, which is reached in 4-5 years; males at 10-12 cm, in 5-6 years. Spermatogenesis begins in June and peaks bymid-August when the testes attain maximum size (Mahmoud and Klicka, 1972). During the last half of August though the middle of September the testes shrink as mature sperm are released to the epididymides. Testes size continues to decline through December when the testes weigh the least. No spermatogenesis occurs from January to April, but mature sperm descend into the vas deferens in March and April. In females, follicular growth proceeds slowly from September to November, and possibly also from December through February (Mahmoud and Klicka, 1972). In March and April follicles are yolked and enlarge, and during May and June grow at their fastest rate. Ovulation and oviposition also occur then. The largest corpora lutea are present when eggs are still in the oviducts, but begin to degenerate to corpora albicantia shortly after oviposition. There is no significant follicular growth during July and August.

Courtship and mating occur in the spring, and the acts are identical to those of Sternotherus odoratus (which see for details).

Presumably, nesting occurs from April through June, as females with oviducal eggs have been found during this period. At least two clutches of two to four white, elongated, brittle-shelled eggs are laid each year. Hatchlings emerge in August and September with carapace lengths of 23-31 mm and often three carapacial keels.

S. carinatus is omnivorous, feeding on insects, crustaceans, snails, clams, amphibians, and aquatic plants.

S. carinatus is a habitual basker; a full sunlight position on steeply angled branches of small diameter was recorded in about 74% of the observations by Lindeman (1996c).

Distribution

Southeastern Oklahoma to southern and eastern Texas, southern Arkansas, Louisiana, south-central Mississippi, and extreme southwestern Alabama. In Alabama, only reported from Escatawpa River (Blankenship et al. 1995). Mount (1975) felt species might be present in Alabama, but at the time of his writing had not been found (Conant and Collins 1991, Ernst et al. 1994, Mount 1975).